Chapter 1347: Chapter 1345: Memory Decline 1344

Mother Tao took her daughter and daughter-in-law to talk with Grandma Tao. After Tian Tian got married, she and Tao Zhi had moved out. Their place was far from here. Tao Zhi was working, and Tian Tian was studying; they usually didn’t come back.

On the weekends when the young couple did have some free time, they would either go out for fun or just stay at home watching television, not visiting here.

The last time Tian Tian came to the old house was after being kidnapped, and she stayed here to recover for a while. Back then, Grandma Tao’s condition wasn’t as severe; she only sometimes had poor memory but could still recognize people.

In just a few months, the old lady’s memory had declined significantly, often reminiscing about the past. Sometimes, she even mistook the young maids in the house for Tao Yue, insistent on firing them. This forced Mother Tao to transfer all the young maids and only keep the older ones to care for her.

“Grandma, we’ve come to see you,” Tan Rou said gently, holding Grandma Tao’s hand, “How has your card playing been lately? Have you won any money?”

Grandma Tao remembered Tan Rou and the rules of playing cards; even if she couldn’t recognize people, she could recognize cards. Hearing Tan Rou mention cards immediately brightened her spirits.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Grandma Tao said with a smile, “Yes, just yesterday afternoon, I was playing cards with your second aunt and them, and I won 500 yuan. Your aunt is really too clumsy, always dealing me the cards I need.”

Mother Tao said with a smile, “Mom, it’s because you’re so skilled.”

Grandma Tao said very proudly, “Of course, my card-playing skills are the best. No one in the family can beat me except for Tan Rou.”

The others didn’t know what to say; they had all seen Grandma Tao’s card-playing skills—neither good nor bad, just terribly unlucky and weak.

“Now that you’re all here, join me for a game,” Grandma Tao suddenly suggested, regaining her clarity, “You’re all so busy, we hardly see each other all year round. Today, if one kid wasn’t out traveling, then another was away working. We agreed to meet up on weekends, but there’s always someone excusing themselves from meals.”

Her words made everyone feel uncomfortable. They indeed had their jobs, and everyone had their own careers; emergencies were unpredictable. Without everyone present, the gathering would always be incomplete.

“Mom, you still have some of us daughters-in-law with you,” Mother Tao said, holding Grandma Tao’s hand, “We won’t miss it.”

“Ah, when you get old, you just want all your children around you, but such good things are hard to come by,” Grandma Tao said, feeling melancholic, “Eldest daughter-in-law, call Xiao Qi for me, it’s been so long since I’ve seen him.”

Tao Qi had enrolled in a short-term study tour program during the summer break and had left even before having a chance to dine with the family.

Mother Tao said, “Mom, it’s midnight over there; Xiao Qi’s already asleep. Let’s call him tomorrow at noon, it will be his afternoon.”

Grandma Tao looked regretful, “Ah, by the time he comes back, I may not even remember him.”

Tan Rou said firmly, “Grandma, you will definitely remember him.”

Grandma Tao looked at her granddaughter and smiled faintly, “Tan Rou, I know you are very skilled in medicine, but you’re not omnipotent, you can heal injuries, but you can’t cure mental illnesses.”

“There must be a way to treat you,” Tears appeared in Tan Rou’s eyes again, “Do you believe me?”

Grandma Tao nodded gently, “Okay, I believe you.”

After a while, Grandma Tao became confused again. When she was confused, she seemed happier than when she was lucid. Seeing everyone in the room, she said joyfully, “You’re all here! Just in time, today I had the kitchen take out my long-stored bird’s nests; let’s have bird’s nest soup.”

Tan Rou had to remind Grandma Tao, “Grandma, we just finished dinner half an hour ago.”

Grandma Tao was taken aback, touching her stomach, seeming not hungry, “Did we already eat? Then let’s have bird’s nest tomorrow morning.”

A maid came over with warm water and medicine, “Old Madam, it’s time for your medicine.”